Philanthropy Southwest

Last week, Philanthropy Southwest members came together in D.C. for a day of meaningful dialogue with elected officials and legislative teams. With 25+ meetings, we reinforced philanthropy's critical role in shaping policy and driving impact in our communities. As Don Mares, with The Colorado Trust, shared: "You cannot overstate the impact and importance of meeting face-to-face with members of Congress and their teams. During our recent PSW on the Hill visits, their genuine interest in the issues of philanthropy and those we seek to help was incredibly impressive. I firmly believe PSW’s effort will be hugely beneficial to the work of all of us." The work doesn’t stop here! PSW members can continue the momentum by engaging with district directors and local offices, ensuring philanthropy remains at the heart of policy discussions. Thank you to everyone who joined us in championing philanthropy’s voice on the Hill.

As we close out the Community & Health Foundations Convening, Day 2 was filled with sessions, breakout tracks, and meaningful connections. Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, summed it up: "The speakers were inspiring and insightful, tackling cutting-edge topics that keep me awake at night. The breakout sessions featured respected experts, and the best part was connecting with colleagues and building new relationships across the region." The day’s highlight was our final plenary on the Food is Medicine movement and the Health Care by Food Initiative. Experts Juliana Crawford, Lisa Sanders, Mitche Elkind, and Stacey Change explored research on improving health outcomes and introduced a systems-thinking approach to drive sustainable change. We look forward to seeing how these insights create lasting impact across the Southwest.

Day two of the Community & Health Foundations Convening began with a networking breakfast. Attendees exchanged ideas and built new connections before the day’s discussions. The morning plenary, led by Amy Sample Ward, CEO of NTEN, explored Artificial Intelligence for Philanthropy: Myths, Opportunities, and Equitable Considerations. Attendees learned how to cut through the AI buzz to uncover how philanthropy can adopt these tools responsibly. The day continued with breakout sessions providing role-specific insights for professionals in: ?? Communications & Marketing ?? Programs ?? Finance & HR ?? Development ?? Health

Day 1 of the Community & Health Foundations Convening was a powerful start ?? The first day of the convening was filled with learning, collaboration, and leadership, from our first plenary session on leadership agility to breakout discussions. The day concluded with a lively reception, where attendees continued conversations, deepened connections, and reflected on key takeaways. Meaningful relationships and fresh ideas are already taking shape—setting the stage for an impactful conference.

?? “PSW is a facilitator that brings ideas together and helps members learn from one another.” – Katie Alford, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Abilene PSW Impact Online features Katie Alford’s insights on innovation and ideas within the philanthropic sector. Watch Katie’s video and others at https://www.pswimpact.com/.

“PSW can create a more connected, responsive, and effective grantmaking community by fostering diverse thought and inclusion.” – Abel Wurmnest, Executive Director, Anschutz Family Foundation Part of PSW’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, PSW Impact Online dives into stories like Abel Wurmnest’s, which illustrate how meaningful relationships drive impactful results in philanthropy. Learn more at https://www.pswimpact.com/.

“Philanthropy as a sector is always in the midst of change and there are a lot of different forces at work on it.” – Ronald Lewis, President & CEO, Rockwell Fund Inc Explore how PSW supports member with professional growth to keep up with the ever-changing phil sector. Learn more at https://www.pswimpact.com/.

?? “Ideas and innovation mean being on the cutting edge, coming up with new ways to move an organization forward.” – Katie Alford, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Abilene PSW Impact Online explores the role of ideas and innovation in philanthropy. Katie Alford’s insights highlight how PSW supports members in staying ahead of the curve, fostering creativity, and embracing new approaches to philanthropy. Visit https://www.pswimpact.com/ to explore more.

?“PSW brings people together, regardless of beliefs, to focus on what’s important for our communities.” – Christina Hanger Trustee, W.K. Kellogg Foundation PSW Impact Online highlights how meaningful connections and shared knowledge fuel impactful philanthropy. Visit pswimpact.com for stories about the PSW Impact Engine, part of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, in action.

At the 2025 PSW Leadership Summit in Las Vegas, Sara Barba (Principal, Integer) and Joi Holliday Sparrow, M.Ed (District Director, Congressman Steven Horsford) shared key insights on connecting local impact with federal policy. Barba emphasized the importance of engaging with policymakers to shape donor-advised fund regulations and the 2025 tax reform. “Engaging at both the district and DC levels gives philanthropy a seat at the table when it matters most,” she noted. Together, PSW members are leading the way in advocacy and ensuring philanthropy’s voice is heard. #PSWLeadershipSummit #PublicPolicy